Stress, Overwork Making U.S. IT Workers Restless

ISR, an international employee research and consulting firm, recently released research that shows employment security concerns, perceived unreasonable workloads and job stress are contributing to a growing discontentment among U.S. IT workers and increasing wanderlust among the sector’s top performers.

If you’re feeling overly stressed, especially in comparison to friends and family who may not be in the IT industry, your reaction is not unfounded. According to ISR, job stress is a problem for 51 percent of all U.S. IT workers, which is 10 percent greater than reported by the overall U.S. workforce. Also, 53 percent say their workloads are excessive, compared to 39 percent of the U.S. workforce.

In an off-shoot of this 10 percent-difference in stress levels, the report also said that 57 percent of IT workers are worried about being laid off within the next year—compare that to 47 percent of the U.S. workforce.

The report also provided suggestion on how management can avoid increased stress levels in their employees:

Provide clear communication about how the IT department contributes to the organization’s success.

Make training and career development available.

Promote a strong workplace management culture based on leaders with integrity, who set a clear direction for the department.

Hopefully, if your management follows these guidelines, it can help narrow that 10 percent gap in stress levels. If so, not only will you be happier at your job, but you and your PR-rep cousin and bookkeeper brother-in-law also can be more on the same page.